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Topic Review (Newest First)

12-22-2002 07:01 AM

Pinardi

Thanks Turbo S10,
Actually that was my point, I'm not concerned,I had the block magged and sonic tested before I spent a dime on anything else (money well spent in my opinion)as we all know, "#*%@ can always happen" but in the words of my childhood idol, Afred E. Newman, "what? me worry?"
PS, this isn't my first 400 sb, as with any motor, check it out good before you start, if it looks good, have fun!!!

12-22-2002 02:34 AM

78 monte

Theres a running one up here in the U-Pull-it for $300 in a 74 bread truck.But personally I don't feel like pullin it out,So I'll leave it for someone else.

12-21-2002 05:20 PM

TurboS10

[quote]Originally posted by Pinardi:
<strong>Gee, I put a 1970 400 4-bolt in my 68 Camaro 6 months ago, the crank and heads are mounted with ARP studs, it's got an Eagle 4340 crank, Eagle 6" H-beam rods, an ATI super dampner on the snout, J&E forged pistons,Edelbrock Victor Jr. aluminum heads w/2.08 Int. a Crane solid roller cam/rockers and stud girdles,Victor Jr. intake with a holley 830 carb,it's fired by a locked out Mallory magnetic pick-up dist and Hyfire VII ignition, it's a 4-speed car with the rev limiter set at 7200 RPM's (it' been there several times !) it's a lot of fun and runs like a watch, too bad I'm driving a time-bomb!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I wouldnt worry about it. Drive it like you got nothin in it or its just no fun. If it blows, well, that is part of rodding. A friend of mine spent money on all the good stuff for a BBC buildup for a race car. Went out on the street mess around a bit and scattered it all over the place. It was the first engine he ever worried about doing everything right on and a rod bolt still let go.

Sounds like a fun car by the way.

Chris

12-21-2002 08:05 AM

Pinardi

Gee, I put a 1970 400 4-bolt in my 68 Camaro 6 months ago, the crank and heads are mounted with ARP studs, it's got an Eagle 4340 crank, Eagle 6" H-beam rods, an ATI super dampner on the snout, J&E forged pistons,Edelbrock Victor Jr. aluminum heads w/2.08 Int. a Crane solid roller cam/rockers and stud girdles,Victor Jr. intake with a holley 830 carb,it's fired by a locked out Mallory magnetic pick-up dist and Hyfire VII ignition, it's a 4-speed car with the rev limiter set at 7200 RPM's (it' been there several times !) it's a lot of fun and runs like a watch, too bad I'm driving a time-bomb!!!

12-21-2002 06:58 AM

TurboS10

I have also heard that the 4 bolts will crack easily, but I have also been told they are no different than 350 4 bolts. The cracks supposedly originate where the outer bolt goes through the web. A die grinder is suppose to clear that up area with a good deburr.

Chris

12-20-2002 09:09 PM

slider

Yes sir on the web cracking. And it's never found until the block's been cleaned. More $'s down the drain.

Out here in the southwest, there are things called "Pick-A-Part"s. These are self service salvage yards. Great places to search for the esoteric. Prices are right, in my area a complete engine sells for $185 outright no matter what it is. Transmissions are $75.

The the girtles they have out now you can make 2 bolts stronger than 4 bolts and 4 bolts almost indestructabe

12-20-2002 11:13 AM

DoubleVision

Finding a 400 here used to be fairly easy, now there scarce, last time I looked for one I had to go 80 miles to get it. I used to complain because I could trip over 350`s, now you can`t find one. we have 3 drag strips and 1 circle track, so that explains the whole deal. I do not know how true this is, but I`ve read to avoid 4 bolt 400 blocks, there more prone to cracking in the main web area. far as I know they only made the 4 bolt in 70, 71 and 72. but if your not planning on making over 500 horses, 2 bolt blocks are fine.

12-20-2002 10:57 AM

notmrgoodwrench

i found my 400 4 bolt main at a salvage yard here bought the thing for $375 complete and was vary happy to pay it cause there are almost none aroud here. so far i have spent a ton of money getting this thing souped up and all but i just cant get the carb to run right but oh well maybe one of these days but anyway just keep hittin those yards and maybe you will get lucky

12-20-2002 06:18 AM

Busted Knuckles

I got lucky and found my 4 bolt 400 in a 1970 Impala with a blown tranny for a hundred bucks.
I was also told by a racer I know that he prefers the 2 bolt blocks because the bearing webs are thicker and you can have splayed 4 bolt girdles installed.
But if you have to have a factory 4 bolt 400 look for a casting #3951511.

12-20-2002 06:01 AM

Airport Towing

Hee Hee.
Stealing a 400 SBC??!! For Real? That's a drag.
400s aren't that rare, it's just that racers like them. Yes, knowing people definately helps. I snag them whenever I see one just for rebiuildable cores, but I don't find them to be rare, except for the 4 bolt ones. Maybe it's just the CNY winters and salt that make them plentiful.

12-20-2002 05:29 AM

Maverick

One of my drivers had one a 4 bolt he was bringing me. I work for a flat bed trucking company. He loaded it up on his trailer and was going to bring on to me. Well he stoped for the night at a truck stop and woke up the next day and it was gone! S.O.B! It was just the block and crank.

12-20-2002 05:24 AM

TurboS10

hehehehe....I know where a few are. Maybe even a 4 bolt. My shop behind my house.

The only way I have found them is just by knowing the right people. The hotrod culture around your area is the best place to find parts for projects.

Chris

12-20-2002 05:21 AM

MI2600

Check EBay. There's always 400s listed. I search under "Chevy 400". The down side is the prices are high. If you aren't in a hurry, I would wait until next Spring and hit the swap meets. Hemmings has listings of meets in your area. I just picked up a 400 4-bolt, crank, and two balancers here for $150.

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